§ 28. Mr. Bramallasked the Minister of Labour what plans his Department has for the future of those members of the Polish Resettlement Corps for whom no employment can be found by reason of age or infirmity.
§ Mr. Ness EdwardsOn termination of their approved period of service, unemployed members of the Polish Resettlement Corps are entitled to all the social security benefits that are available to British subjects.
§ Mr. BramallIs my right hon. Friend aware that there is a considerable resentment in the country, which may give rise to undesirable general anti-Polish feeling, against the fact that Polish people who are old and infirm are being kept on at high rates of pay, whereas similar British men who cannot obtain employment are on the comparatively low social insurance benefits?
§ Mr. Ness EdwardsThere is no basis for that view. These men volunteered to join the Polish Resettlement Corps for a maximum period of two years. When they have served their two years they are treated as ordinary people and are discharged from the Corps. If they cannot find employment—and employment is not found for them—they are treated as ordinary British citizens.
§ Mr. BramallCould my right hon. Friend say when the time will have expired when the last of these men to join the Corps will have completed his period of service?
§ Mr. Ness EdwardsThey are coming out of the Polish Resettlement Corps all the time. It is hoped that before the end of this year even these elderly people will have concluded their period in the Corps, and then they will be treated as ordinary British citizens.